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As the result of a current deficit of nearly $36 million, the University of South Florida last week announced plans to cut $50 million by eliminating about 450 jobs.

President Judy Genshaft said she plans to lay off about 70 employees in the coming weeks, with the rest of the eliminated jobs already vacant.

As part of the budget cuts, USF will also make some structural changes. Within the College of Arts and Sciences, the administration and operating expenses for smaller departments, such as women's studies and Africana studies, will be consolidated to share resources. Also, the Institute for the Study of Latin America and the Caribbean and the Institute on Black Life will be merged into the College of Arts and Sciences. The School of Architecture and Community Design will also assimilated into College of Arts and Sciences. Each department and institution, however, will keep its academic autonomy.

Across the bay in St. Petersburg, the USF-St. Petersburg campus will also be cutting its budget. Karen White is chancellor of the USF St. Pete campus.